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Hundreds of birthday cards, well wishes coming in for 20-year-old Davison Township resident given days to live

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(From left) Chad Everett and Michele Everett in the Detroit Red Wings locker room Saturday, Jan. 19. Chad, 20, of Davison Township, has been given days to live due to complications from cystic fibrosis.
(Courtesy Photo)

DAVISON TWP, MI – Twenty-year-old Chad Everett has been given a timeline for his death, but the Davison Township resident is choosing to live life to the fullest.

With his birthday coming up on Wednesday, Jan. 22, hundreds of people from across the country have been inundating his family’s mailbox with cards offering words of support and encouragement in his fight against Cystic Fibrosis which has cut his lung capacity to 13 percent.

Michele Everett, Chad’s mother, said the cards began flowing in last week after a message was sent out online through Facebook pages, including Willie’s Wish Foundation For Cystic Fibrosis that helped Chad make it to a Detroit Red Wings game to meet some of his sporting idols, that started with help via former Flushing resident Lisa Michelle Kramer.

Kramer, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., is friends with Everett on Facebook. Her 14-year-old son and 67-year-old mother are both fighting their own battles with cystic fibrosis, a disease that affects the lungs and digestive system.

After learning of Chad’s story and diagnosis after being sent home in November with two months to live, she facilitated along with Willie’s Wishes the push to get cards sent to the family’s home.

“Things started falling into place and cards started rolling in and it was an open door,” said Kramer, with the family having received more than 300 cards as of Sunday, Jan. 19.

“It was really overwhelming," said Michele of the outpouring from strangers and friends. "After seeing what we'd received, we even got one from the post office here in Davison. That was really nice.”

Chad was diagnosed at two months old with cystic fibrosis while at Hurley Medical Center, with Michele noting they spent several days in the hospital during his first two years dealing with medical issue.

When Chad started on a new medication, Michele said he went years without a hospital visit and was able to play football and hockey without any major medical issues. He still underwent treatments at home to using a nebulizer and vest for physical therapy to help his breathing, but she noted “He was very active” like other children.

His health began showing some decline while at Carman-Ainsworth Middle School, when he was stricken with multiple cases with pneumonia and was hospitalized three to four times a year for weeks at a time but Michele said he never complained even following the recent diagnosis.

The family was able to share memories together while attending a Red Wings game Saturday evening, with Chad able
to spend some time with players Henrik Zetteberg and Jimmy Howard
courtesy of an arrangement by Willie’s Wish.

“He is so positive and has such a good spirit. It didn’t phase him at all,” said Michele, with Chad on oxygen at home during the day and refusing any Hospice care. “He told me I always knew I was going to die, and he’s led a good life.”

Anyone wishing to send Chad a card may send it to 9165 Chatwell Club Drive, Apartment #14, Davison, MI 48423.